Chuck Klingbeil

As usual, the Miami Dolphins' defensive performance left the writers and fans wondering. As for themselves, the Dolphins were more concerned with filling in the holes.With linebacker John Offerdahl and nose tackle Chuck Klingbeil inactive because of injuries, Miami received some fine contributions from a pair of backups as it took a 28-0 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at the Hoosier Dome.The shutout was the Dolphins' first in a non-strike game since Dec. 22, 1985, when they blanked Buffalo, 28-0.

Terry Kirby heard the news from a reporter.''Who says I'm starting?'' he asked.''Shula,'' came the answer.''Wow,'' said Kirby.Three weeks into the season, the Dolphins have switched starting tailbacks.Bernie Parmalee will begin Monday night's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on the bench. Kirby will begin the game lined up behind quarterback Dan Marino.''The last two to three weeks (Kirby's) playing real well,'' coach Don Shula said. ''We're going to start Kirby at the running back, but Bernie will be ready to play as will (Irving)

For the first time in a month, the Miami Dolphinswill have more defensive backs than they need Sunday. With the return of cornerbacks Frankie Smith last week and Muhammad Oliver this week, the Dolphins have 11 healthy defensive backs. Two will be declared inactive Sunday against the Los Angeles Raiders.''That's a decision we haven't had to make lately,'' coach Don Shula said. ''It comes at a good time.''KLINGBEIL DOUBTFULNOSE TACKLE Chuck Klingbeil (knee) and guard Bert Weidner (ankle) remain questionable for Sunday.

For the first time in a month, the Miami Dolphinswill have more defensive backs than they need Sunday. With the return of cornerbacks Frankie Smith last week and Muhammad Oliver this week, the Dolphins have 11 healthy defensive backs. Two will be declared inactive Sunday against the Los Angeles Raiders.''That's a decision we haven't had to make lately,'' coach Don Shula said. ''It comes at a good time.''KLINGBEIL DOUBTFULNOSE TACKLE Chuck Klingbeil (knee) and guard Bert Weidner (ankle) remain questionable for Sunday.

THE GOOD NEWS: After two weeks of questions about the loss of Dan Marino, Miami turned in a stunning performance in support of backup QB Scott Mitchell. Miami passed for 201 yards and had a season-high 171 rushing yards. The defense forced four turnovers and recorded four sacks.THE BAD NEWS: The Dolphins were not in control of their emotions. DE Marco Coleman was ejected for taking a swing at Colts RB Roosevelt Potts. Then, LB Bryan Cox shouted at officials for kicking out Coleman and at his own teammates and coaches.

Adding to the usual tension of the week before a game against Buffalo, both the Miami Dolphins and the Bills are wondering who'll be available this Monday for the AFC East showdown at Joe Robbie Stadium.The Dolphins have three starters listed as questionable for Monday. The Bills are in worse shape with seven starters on the injured list, including three who are questionable and one who is doubtful.During the weekly conference, coach Don Shula asked Buffalo reporters how the Bills were looking and then half jokingly said: ''I'm sure Marv Levy will tell our reporters.

Nose tackle Chuck Klingbeil (left knee) and right guard Bert Weidner (right ankle) both missed practice Wednesday because of injuries from the game against Buffalo. In addition, guard Houston Hoover (kidney) again missed practice. The Los Angeles Raiders, whom the Dolphins face Sunday at 1 p.m. at Joe Robbie Stadium, reported no injuries.The value of the Dolphins' home, Joe Robbie Stadium, jumped a few million dollars the minute the Orange Bowl Committee decided to move its game there, starting in 1997, a leading sports-property appraiser said.

Marco Coleman and Louis Oliver are each a bit lighter in the wallet because of their actions in Sunday's game against Indianapolis.Both were fined an undisclosed amount by the team, Coleman for taking a swing at Colts running back Roosevelt Potts and Oliver for crossing the entire field in celebration before scoring on a 56-yard interception return.''I just did what hit me at the moment,'' said Oliver, who had an open field ahead of him when he decided to cut across at the 10-yard line before scoring.

CONTRACT TALKS with top draft pick Troy Vincent broke off Wednesday, General Manager Eddie Jones said. Vincent, a cornerback drafted seventh overall out of Wisconsin, appeared on the verge of signing. But his agents, James and Linda Bodley, rejected an offer reported to be $5.2 million over 4 years, including a $2.3 million signing bonus. . . . Glenn Rogers (hamstring) and Chuck Klingbeil (knee) will not play against the Dallas Cowboys on Friday.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERSVINNY TESTAVERDE will start the preseason opener against the Denver Broncos and play all or most of the first half.

Hoosier Dome, 1 p.m.BROADCAST: TV - NBC (WESH-Ch. 2 in Orlando). Radio - WWNZ-AM (740) in Orlando; WWHL-AM (1350); WROD-AM (1340).LAST WEEK: Miami lost to New York Jets, 26-14; Indianapolis lost to San Diego, 26-0.LAST MEETING: Oct. 25, 1992, Indianapolis won, 31-20.WHEN MIAMI HAS THE BALL: Coach Don Shula threw a curve at writers Thursday when he suggested the Dolphins might start in a four-receiver alignment. The suggestion seemed to be a joke, but he really might do it. Two weeks ago in Miami, the Dolphins had their best success against the Colts when they used four receivers in the fourth quarter.

Nose tackle Chuck Klingbeil (left knee) and right guard Bert Weidner (right ankle) both missed practice Wednesday because of injuries from the game against Buffalo. In addition, guard Houston Hoover (kidney) again missed practice. The Los Angeles Raiders, whom the Dolphins face Sunday at 1 p.m. at Joe Robbie Stadium, reported no injuries.The value of the Dolphins' home, Joe Robbie Stadium, jumped a few million dollars the minute the Orange Bowl Committee decided to move its game there, starting in 1997, a leading sports-property appraiser said.

Dolphins owner H. Wayne Huizenga denied a report in the Aug. 30 Gentlemen's Quarterly magazine that he held discussions with former Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson during the off-season about succeeding Miami coach Don Shula. The article also hints that negotiations are continuing, despite the 2-year contract extension that Shula received last month that gives him the option to stay with the team through the 1996 season.''I can say unequivocally that the story about any conversation regarding Jimmy Johnson and the Miami Dolphins is totally false,'' Huizenga said.

THE GOOD NEWS: Despite three home losses in three weeks, the Dolphins are still assured of a playoff spot if they win their last two games. They could also gain a berth with one, or even two, more losses, but other playoff hopefuls would also have to lose games for Miami to get in under those scenarios. . . . Rookie Terry Kirby had nine catches for 148 yards.THE BAD NEWS: Where there was once a 9-2 team many predicted would make it to the Super Bowl, there is now a 9-5 outfit struggling to salvage a playoff berth.

Marco Coleman and Louis Oliver are each a bit lighter in the wallet because of their actions in Sunday's game against Indianapolis.Both were fined an undisclosed amount by the team, Coleman for taking a swing at Colts running back Roosevelt Potts and Oliver for crossing the entire field in celebration before scoring on a 56-yard interception return.''I just did what hit me at the moment,'' said Oliver, who had an open field ahead of him when he decided to cut across at the 10-yard line before scoring.

When the Miami Dolphins play the New York Giants at 8 tonight at Joe Robbie Stadium in their exhibition finale, the question for the Dolphins will be: Can quickness overcome size in defensing the run?The Giants feature an offensive line led by John ''Jumbo'' Elliott, who is 6 feet 7, 305 pounds. Not only will the Dolphins face the Giants later this season, they'll also take on a number of successful run-oriented teams, including the Washington Redskins and their Hogs.As a final warmup act for the regular season, the Dolphins couldn't have scheduled it much better.

The Dolphins may have lost linebacker John Offerdahl again. Offerdahl started but came out in the second quarter after re-aggravating his strained abdominal muscle. Offerdahl played a total of three series. "You're trying and trying and hoping that it maintains only a certain amount of pain. When it starts getting worse and worse, that's what I did, I got out," Offerdahl said in a depressed tone. "I was hoping I could maintain a certain level and if I was effective, I would be playing the whole game.